Novelty storage container/display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A storage container/display apparatus adapted to resemble a character is provided as a means to differentiate a product. The storage container/display apparatus is configured as a character in a seated position that stores and/or displays a product in a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a novelty storage container/display apparatus, and more particularly, to a storage container and/or display apparatus configured as a toy figure or character.

Numerous commercial consumer products are directed to young consumers, such as toddlers and babies. Moreover, with the every increasing number of providers of such consumer products, young consumers, or purchasers of such consumer products for young consumers, can select from any number of providers of their choosing. As such, it has become a much more competitive marketplace for providers to successfully market and sell consumer products for use by young consumers, especially commodities, such as bed sheets, blanket throws and pillows.

Attempts to differentiate such commodities to win over purchasers have included the use of celebrity endorsements, character prints, and/or discounts. However, such brand differentiation means are now commonplace in the market and therefore, in essence, no longer sufficiently differentiate such commodity products to purchasers.

As such, there is still a need for a means to differentiate products with purchasers of commodity products, especially for young consumers, that provides for a market and/or advertising advantage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the problem of providing a novel means to differentiate a product is solved by a novelty storage container/display apparatus that can store or display a product and then function as a novelty secondary storage or display item. In this way, both packaging and product/brand differentiation can be provided to the consumer.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides for a toy character or figure comprising: a head; a torso; arms, legs; and a belly in the shape of a container configured to receive an item.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides for an apparatus comprising: a container that includes: a head, torso, arms, and legs; wherein the container is formed partially of fabric.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides for a method of displaying a product comprising the steps of providing an apparatus comprising: a container that includes: a head, torso, arms, and legs; wherein the container is formed partially of fabric, and partially inserting a product in the container.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides for a display apparatus comprising: a base that includes: a mounting section for mounting a product; legs; and a backboard that includes: a torso; arms; and a head; wherein the base and backboard are configured as a character in the seated position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a toy character having a belly in the form of a container configured to receive a sheet set in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toy character of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the toy character of FIG. 1 with internal fasteners and without a sheet set;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the toy character of FIG. 1 with external fasteners and without a sheet set; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a display apparatus in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same or like reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like features. It should be noted that the drawings are in simplified form and are not drawn to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, above, below and diagonal, are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms used in conjunction with the following description of the drawings should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner not explicitly set forth.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides for a toy figure, character or doll 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The toy character 10 includes a head 12, a torso 14, arms 16, legs 18, and a belly 20, configured as shown on FIG. 1.

The belly 20 is generally configured as a storage container. While the storage container can be configured in an number of ways, the belly 20 is preferably configured as an open toped parallelpiped shaped storage container. More preferably, the belly 20 is configured with a substantially planar bottom wall 22 and four substantially planar side walls 24 a-d extending generally perpendicular to the bottom wall 22. The substantially planar bottom and side walls 22, 24 a-d, form a substantially rectangular basket. The internal volume or storage capacity of the belly or container 20 is sufficient to store or hold an item or product 26, such as a sheet set 26, blanket throws, pillows, or the like. Preferably, the internal volume of the belly 20 is configured such that the product 26 is only partially stored in the belly 20 so that a top portion of the product 26 stands exposed and viewable by a consumer.

The product 26 stored in the belly 20 can be any commercial consumer product such as a sheet set, blanket throw, pillows, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the product 26 stored in the belly 20 is a separately packaged product. Separately packaging the product 26 advantageously allows for the product to be sold separately and in combination with the toy character 10.

The belly 20 can also be configured with fasteners 28 (see FIG. 3) along the inside of any of the substantially planar side walls 24 a-d (only side wall 24 c illustrated with a fastener 28 for convenience) or the bottom wall 22 to retain the product 26 within the belly 20 or to allow a user to open and securely close the belly 20. Any conventional fastener readily known in the art can be used, as such a detailed explanation of such fasteners is not necessary for a complete understanding of the present invention. However, such fasteners 28 can include, a button, hook and loop fasteners, ties, zippers and the like.

The belly 20 can further be configured with fasteners 30 (see FIG. 4) along the outside of any of the substantially planar side walls 24 a-d (only side wall 24 a illustrated with a fastener 30 for convenience) to allow a user to secure the arms 16 of the toy character 10 over the belly 20, if desired. The fasteners 30 can by any conventional fasteners, such as those described above for fasteners 28. The fasteners 30 advantageously allows for any product 26 retained within the belly 20 to be further secured by the arms 16 fastened over the belly 20.

The appendages of the toy character 10 can be configured in any of numerous ways, however, the toy character 10 is preferably configured such that the container formed out of the belly 20 is in the upright position when the toy character 10 is in an upright seated position. This is accomplished by preferably positioning the legs 18 along a front end of the belly 20 and the torso 14 along a back end of the belly 20. That is, the toy character 10 is preferably configured as shown in FIG. 1.

The toy character 10 can be made out of any material readily known in the art for making toy characters, such as wood, plastics, textiles, and metals. Preferably, the toy character 10 is formed out of a soft textile, such as fabric or a plush fabric, and filled with a soft material, such as cotton. The belly 20 is also preferably formed out of a soft textile so as to be collapsible and soft.

The toy character 10 can also be configured with an informational hang tag 32. The hang tag 32 can be positioned and fastened to the toy character 10 about any location, but is preferably positioned on one of the arm(s) 16 of the toy character 10. The hang tag 32 is configured to resemble a book or other item readily associated with or held by the character embodied by the toy character 10. The hang tag 32 also includes information such as a pictorial image, sizing information, UPC code, laundering information, or any other information necessary or preferably conveyed with the product 26.

The toy character 10 can be configured as any toy character known in the art, such as a teddy bear, animal, person, or even an object such as a vehicle (e.g., Lighting McQueen from the movie Cars). Preferably, the toy character 10 is configured as a well known character, such as Big Bird, Elmo, Bugs Bunny, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Sportacus, Lighting McQueen, or any other well known character.

In an alternative embodiment, the head 12, torso 14, arms 16, and legs 18 are all detachably connectable to the belly 20. The head 12, torso 14, arms 16, and legs 18 can be connected to the belly 20 via fasteners (not shown) that are readily known in the art.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides for a method of displaying a product 26. The product 26 can be any consumer product such as bed sheets, blanket throws, pillows, or combinations thereof. The method includes the steps of providing an apparatus that includes a container having a head 12, torso 14, arms 16, and legs 16, wherein the container 20 is formed partially of fabric. Thereafter, a product 26 is partially inserted into the container 20.

In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the present invention provides for a display apparatus 100. The display apparatus 100 includes a base 102 and a backboard 104.

The base 102 includes a mounting section 106 for mounting e.g., a product 116, and legs 108. The legs 108 are preferably attached to a front end of the mounting section 106. The mounting section 106 can be configured as an open toped container. Preferably, the mounting section 106 of the base 102 is configured to partially store a product 116 within the mounting section 106 and to leave the product 116 partially exposed for viewing by a consumer, such as shown in FIG. 5.

The backboard 104 includes a torso 110, a head 112, and arms 114. The backboard 104 is connected to the base 102 about a back end of the base 102 (e.g., towards the back of the torso 110).

The display 100 is preferably configured as a character, such as a doll or other animated object, that is in a seated position as best shown in FIG. 5. While the display can be made out of any material, such as wood, plastic, textile, or metal, the display is preferably formed at least partially out of a soft fabric.

The embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide for a novel storage container or display apparatus that can be used to package or display a product to differentiate the product from other similar products. With the present invention, a consumer is provided with a novel packaging or display means for a product and is further advantaged by being provided with a novelty storage container or display apparatus for use after the product is opened or excised from the storage container or display apparatus. As such, the present invention also advantageously reduces the overall amount of waste associated with packaging materials while providing a reusable packaging (i.e., the storage container or display apparatus) that can be used as a secondary novelty storage container or display apparatus.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A toy character comprising: a head; a torso; arms, legs; and a belly in the shape of a container configured to receive an item.
 2. The toy character of claim 1, wherein the belly is configured as an open toped container.
 3. The toy character of claim 1, wherein the belly is configured with a substantially planar bottom wall and substantially planar side walls generally perpendicular to the bottom wall.
 4. The toy character of claim 1, wherein the belly is formed partially of fabric.
 5. The toy character of claim 1, wherein the belly includes fasteners to fasten the arms to the belly.
 6. The toy character of claim 1, wherein the item is one of a sheet, blanket throw, pillow, or combinations thereof.
 7. The toy character of claim 1, wherein the belly is in an upright position and the toy figure is configured in a seated position.
 8. The toy character of claim 1, wherein the legs are attached to a front end of the belly.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a container that includes: a head, torso, arms, and legs; wherein the container is formed partially of fabric.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container includes a substantially planar bottom wall and substantially planar side walls, the side walls being secured perpendicular to the bottom wall.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container is sized and shaped to at least partially receive a product.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the product is one of a sheet, blanket throw, pillow, or combinations thereof.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container is configured as a basket.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the torso is connected to a back end of the container and the legs are connected to a front end of the container.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the head, torso, arms, and legs are detachably connectable to the container.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the head, torso, arms, and legs are configured to resemble a character in a seated position.
 17. A method of displaying a product comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus according to claim 9, and inserting a portion of a product in the container.
 18. A display apparatus comprising: a base that includes: a mounting section to mount a product; legs; and a backboard that includes: a torso; arms; and a head; wherein the base and backboard are configured as a character in a seated position.
 19. The display apparatus of claim 18, wherein the mounting section is configured as an open toped container.
 20. The display apparatus of claim 19, wherein the product is mounted on the mounting section and the product is partially stored in the open toped container and partially exposed for viewing.
 21. The display apparatus of claim 18, wherein the base and backboard are at least partially formed of fabric. 